September 29, 2015 (MINNEAPOLIS) The Minneapolis Police Department was integral in leading Operation Guardian Angel, a statewide effort to combat sex trafficking that yielded 52 arrests over the last 12 months. Undercover officers posing as underage males and females placed electronic ads where suspects contacted them and arranged for sexual liaisons. When the suspects arrived at the location, they were placed under arrest.

“The sex trafficking of our youth goes much further than urban areas and negatively impacts us all,” Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau said. “The success of this program is largely based on cooperation with our law enforcement partners both regionally and federally.”